Share

Du Toit wins gold in Delhi

Cape Town - Natalie du Toit won South Africa's second gold of the Commonwealth Games on Tuesday in her last race as an S9 freestyle swimmer.

"I knew it was my last race as a 50m freestyle (S9) swimmer and what a way to finish with a gold," an emotional Du Toit said afterwards.

"Being here, I realise what a long way I've come. I attended my first Commonwealth Games in 1998 but was DQ'd (as a 14-year-old) after I didn't make my starting time."

On Tuesday, Du Toit had to dig deep to overhaul the stubborn Australian Annabelle Williams, with a strong final 20m allowing her to catch her rival close to the wall before touching in 29.17sec - 0.13 sec off her world record.

The gold adds to those she won in Manchester in 2002 and Melbourne in 2006.

While Du Toit claimed the country's second gold after Chad le Clos' heroics in the 200m butterfly on Monday, wrestling's Richard Addinall and Hughes Bella-Lufi enjoyed their finest moments on the mat.

Addinall won silver in the men's 74kg greco-roman, and Bella-Lufu bronze in the 96kg greco-roman to take the country's overall tally to five medals.

Du Toit's medal brings the country's tally to five.

The country's first gold medal of the games went to another swimmer, Chad le Clos, in the 200m butterfly on Monday, when the mens' 4x100m freestyle relay team won a bronze.

On Tuesday, wrestling's Richard Addinall enjoyed his finest moment when he won silver in the men's 74kg greco-roman.

Hughes Bella-Lufi took bronze in the 96kg greco-roman, but because of the disqualification of the Australian silver medallist, he was promoted to silver.

All eyes remained on the water on Tuesday.

Jean Basson, who qualified fastest for the blue riband men's 200m freestyle final, was edged out of the medals, finishing fourth in 1min 48.47sec, only 0.59sec behind Scotland's Robbie Renwick, and 0.25sec off bronze.

The United States-based South African produced a 1:48.21 in the morning.

After a good start, Basson went through the first 50m in fourth (25.57) and that is where he stayed throughout, 53.02 at halfway and 1:20.98 at the 150m mark.

Cameron van der Burgh, the 50m Commonwealth champion and bronze medallist in the 100m breaststroke at the last world championships, was touched off into second spot in the heats and semis.

He improved his morning performance of 1:02.13 with a 1:00.52 swim in the evening, second fastest overall. The final is on Wednesday night.

Roland Schoeman, the Commonwealth 50m butterfly champion from 2006, put himself in contention for a medal when he posted the third fastest time in the semi-finals to qualify for the final.

After a 23.76sec in the morning heats, Schoeman produced a 23.75sec in the semi-final.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1167 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
30% - 1361 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2070 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE